St Albans Museum + Gallery

Built in 1831, the Georgian Grade ll* listed Town Hall building is part of the story of St Albans. It has one of the few pre-Victorian court rooms in existence, complete with atmospheric subterranean prison cells. It also boasts a huge assembly room, with impossibly high-ceilings adorned with beautiful coving and a balcony overlooking St Peter’s street. All these areas have been exquisitely restored. The giant gold framed mirrors reflect the hours of painstaking work spent painting rose gold detail on the ceiling and walls, and the newly fitted lavish gold and crystal chandeliers recently custom-made in Venice.

This Assembly Room now presents pieces from internationally acclaimed artist Susie MacMurray, known for her dramatic installations in historic buildings. The ground floor reception area and sweeping staircase, unassuming before, now has the wow factor and is fit for purpose to house a permanent exhibition showcasing over 2,000 years of St Albans’s remarkable heritage and celebrating the famous sons and daughters of this historic city.

Clever design by the award-winning architects, John McAslan + Partners, has resulted in new parts to the building including a temperature-controlled and secure basement gallery (the Weston Gallery) which had been hand excavated to create a gallery which can now host national touring exhibitions and contemporary art shows.

Glazed links have been added to the first floor meaning visitors can walk around the entire building while taking in wonderful views of the city. The ground floor has also been renovated to accommodate a learning studio, visitor information point, gift shop and café.

The St Albans Museum + Gallery is brand new centre for arts and culture at the heart of one of Britain's most historic cities.

From the timeless elegance of the Georgian Assembly Room, with its ornate chandeliers and lustrous gold leaf, to the sleek, white styling of the modern basement gallery, our versatile and impressive spaces provide a stunning backdrop for any occasion – from conferences, seminars and exhibitions to fundraising dinners, drinks receptions, and even weddings.

Restored to their former glory, our breath-taking historic spaces can cater for formal and informal occasions for up to 150 people, whilst the newly created gallery spaces offer a blank canvas for stylish product launches and parties of more intimate crowds of up to 80.